UFC Fight Night 35 Play-by-Play: Trevor Smith vs. Brian Houston

Trevor Smith vs. Brian Houston

Round 1: Smith takes the center of the cage. He lands an outside leg kick to start the round. Houston steps in with a right hand. Smith drives forward and secures a double leg takedown. Houston gets back to his feet and they separate. Smith lands a leg kick and Houston catches it and takes him down. Smith works his way back to his feet. Houston presses him against the cage. Houston backs away. They exchange leg kicks. Houston works to establish his jab. Houston moves forward and Smith times him and takes him down. Smith applies an arm triangle choke. He switches sides to lock it down, but Houston defends the submission attempt. Smith lands short elbows and advances to the mount position. Smith moves to side control. The round ends. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Smith.

Round 2: Houston lands a left hand to start the second frame. Smith answers with a right hook. Smith lands an inside leg kick. He continues to work the lead leg of Houston. Houston lands a left hook that opens a cut on Smith’s forehead. Smith looks for a takedown but Houston stuffs it. They work for position along the cage before separating. Smith lands a leg kick and relentlessly works to get the fight to the ground. Houston avoids it. Smith changes levels and Houston defends the takedown attempt. Smith lands a right hand and looks for a single leg takedown. Houston has none of it. Houston lands his jab. Smith lands a left hand. Houston delivers an outside leg kick. Smith presses forward and lands his jab at the bell. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Houston.

Round 3: Houston lands a low leg kick. He lands a right hand. Smith steps forward with a right hand of his own. Houston delivers an outside leg kick. Smith continues to move forward. Houston meets him with jabs. Smith lands his jab followed by an outside leg kick. The pace has slowed. Smith paws with his jab. Houston moving laterally on the outside. Smith lands a right hand. Smith moves forward with a combination. Houston’s output has dwindled to a few jabs. Smith lands a lazy kick to the body. He lands a leg kick to Houston’s lead leg. Smith looks to get the fight to the ground. Houston sprawls and Smith lands a knee to the body as they stand. Smith lands his jab. Smith delivers a kick to the body at the bell. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Smith.

The judges scored the fight for Smith by split decision. The scorecards read 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28.